Abdeslam Ouaddou pays tribute to Belmadi and Zetchi following historic South African campaign

Former Morocco international Abdeslam Ouaddou has paid tribute to key figures in Algerian football after guiding Orlando Pirates to a remarkable season in South Africa, which saw the club secure four major trophies.

The Pirates head coach enjoyed a standout campaign, lifting the MTN8 Super Cup, the league title, the Carling Cup and the All-Star Cup in a season that has underlined his growing reputation as a manager.

Following the success, Ouaddou posted a lengthy message on social media reflecting on his journey and acknowledging the individuals and experiences that have shaped his coaching philosophy.

While he praised his technical staff, players and the club’s leadership, he also highlighted those who influenced his development earlier in his career.

A significant part of his tribute was directed towards former Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi, whom Ouaddou credited with playing a key role in his evolution as a coach.

“It was with Djamel Belmadi that I was able to acquire my most valuable skills, observing his high standards, his rigor and his meticulous work within the Algerian national team.”

Ouaddou also expressed appreciation for Kheïreddine Zetchi, the former president of the Algerian Football Federation, recognising the opportunity he was given to work closely with the national setup during an important stage of his development.

He recalled a six-month period spent within the Algerian national team environment, describing it as a formative experience that shaped his understanding of high-level football management.

“I warmly thank President Zetchi and Djamel for allowing me to learn the ropes during six intense months at the heart of the Algerian national team.

This immersion at the highest level was the catalyst for my vision of football and my current methodology,” he stressed.

The former defender believes that the lessons learned during that period have had a lasting impact on his coaching approach, which he feels was reflected in his successful season with Orlando Pirates.

By linking his recent achievements to those formative experiences, Ouaddou underlined the importance of mentorship and exposure at the highest level in shaping his managerial identity.